Chevy Freiburger, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission, and team lead the charge in helping students and their families find the right fit.
Fostering Community
Since 2015, Central has adopted the third-grade class from Findley Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa. Chevy Freiburger, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission, has helped foster the partnership since the beginning.
“Working with Des Moines schools for more than seven years, I got to know Heather Burr Isaacson ’97 very well,” Freiburger shares. “She came to Central with the idea of adopting the third-grade class and we jumped at the opportunity.”
Isaacson is the director of programs for By Degrees Foundation, an organization that helps economically disadvantaged families and students learn about and attend college and so much more.
Another key player among the small army of hands to help lift such a partnership was Cheri Trout Doane ’98.
“It started off with us having a regular presence at Findley, and from there Cheri thought of different ways our academic programming could be involved as well when the students came to campus,” Freiburger recalls. “We got our students involved and it’s become a collaborative effort for the entirety of campus as we promote a college-accessible culture. It’s about instilling optimism that there are pathways for you after high school no matter if it’s technical or a four-year degree — it’s attainable.”
As the partnership celebrates a milestone — the first class to graduate since the partnership began — Freiburger and the Central team can’t help but feel good about it and hope they made an impact.
“From the very beginning, it wasn’t about these students going to Central,” Freiburger says. “It was much broader, and rather, more so about the importance of education — how it changes your life and puts you in a stronger position to grow personally and professionally. We hope their college-going rates increase and we feel the work we’re doing is changing lives for the better. And of course, the cherry on top is if they choose Central.”
The North High School Class of 2024 visited Central’s campus to celebrate the college’s partnership with the By Degrees Foundation. This class is the first to partner with Central since third grade.
Refer to More
Another cherry on top moment comes from the Central family.
“There are lots of ways to help the college,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy ’99, vice president for advancement. “When alumni, parents or friends ask to help, we animate pathways for giving, volunteering and referring students to Central. Each of these activities helps the college more than they may realize.”
Central’s Refer A Student program helps the college connect with promising students who would benefit from a Central education. Once the form is submitted, the college invites the student to learn more about Central, visit campus and apply. As a token of gratitude, Central sends the referrer gear when they refer a student and again if that student enrolls.
“The tap from a family member, mentor or family friend can go a long way,” Eighmy explains. “To hear, ‘I think this school would be a great fit for you’ or ‘You’d really thrive here’ from someone they love and respect is one of the best compliments a 17- or 18-year-old could receive.”
The program is rooted in the very core of what Central is all about: A high-quality, personalized experience.
“Central family members are our biggest cheerleaders,” Eighmy says. “When we share our stories with the next generation, it opens doors to great possibilities. Pair that with a great, personalized visit and an investment from donors through scholarship support and it’s easy to see why Central would rise to the top of the list. We know not everyone can or will choose Central, but know we do what we do really well for the students who call our campus home.”
Kelly Kowzan, Central’s director of admission, meets with a prospective student and their family. Central creates a personalized visit experience tailored to each student and their interests.
Finding the Right Fit
After more than 20 years in higher education, Freiburger has helped thousands of prospective students and their families navigate the college search. In that time, he’s learned what families want to learn and how to best guide them.
“Do your homework and take the time to make a good decision,” he affirms. “It’s a life-changing one! Spend time on campus and get to know where you want to be — meet the faculty, coaches and students and understand the culture. It doesn’t hurt to be in a thriving community, so take a look at your surroundings.”
“We’re fortunate to have a community like Pella with a warm, welcoming feel, great amenities and incredible support from the people and businesses,” Freiburger shares. “The people of Pella wrap their arms around our students and really take care of them. So, once a student has asked all the questions and feels like they’re making the right decision, we couldn’t ask for a better place for our students to learn and grow.”
“We know a lot of our alumni love it here, too,” he says. “When 10% of your population are alumni, there’s something good going on.”
No matter the path current and future Central students take to find their way here, one thing is certain: The Central journey and the relationships made here are for a lifetime.
To learn more about Central’s relationship with Findley Elementary and the By Degrees Foundation, watch the video celebrating the partnership at: central.edu/fostering-community.
Know a great student looking for a great education, lifelong relationships and amazing opportunities? Refer them to Central at: central.edu/refer. Once you’ve referred them, encourage them to schedule a visit at central.edu/visit.
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